For the Life of the Church

The Project

Renovating St. Bede Hall's 49,000+ square feet of space will provide an opportunity for the Seminary and School of Theology programs to continue to expand and flourish. The programs are already successful; renovating a solidly built structure to create a flexible, functional, comfortable learning environment will enable more people to take advantage of them.

The renovation work will maintain and make the best use of a well-constructed sandstone building that has been serving the School since the early 1950s. A new roof and energy-efficient windows will be installed, along with a new heating and air conditioning system.

Here's how Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology programs will benefit from the renovation:

Institute for Priests and Presbyterates

• More space for current programs and the opportunity to add more sessions
• New programs will have room to flourish
• More guest rooms and larger meeting rooms allowing more priests to attend programs
• Opportunities for diocesan presbyterates to gather (a presbyterate is made up of a diocese's priests and bishop)

Lay Degree Program

•  More and larger classroom space, especially for weekend courses
• Comfortable overnight accommodations, appropriate for adult students
• Eliminate need for off-campus housing
• A small chapel will be available for prayer and Mass as a community

Permanent Deacon Formation Program

• More classrooms will be available for use
• Chapel space can be used for prayer and Mass as a community, or for homily practice
• Addition of continuing education courses and workshops
• Development of new programs (i.e. Spanish-language deacon program)
• Ability to serve more dioceses

"One Bread, One Cup" Program

• More rooms available for use by the high school youth and college interns
• Offer separate space away from other programs
• Space for conferences, learning sessions and other activities
• Addition of air conditioning and private baths
• Better access and improved hospitality for loading and unloading 

Office of Group Accommodations

The Office of Group Accommodations welcomes many guests to Saint Meinrad each year and brings in needed revenue to supplement other School programs.

• Improved accommodations and enhanced hospitality
• Addition of central air conditioning, updated heating system and private baths
• Flexible classroom and conference spaces
• Convenient loading/unloading area at the front doors
• Upgraded elevator providing easier access to rooms
• Easier registration and checkout for guests with a central reception area